President Donald Trump’s approval rating has hit its lowest level ever recorded in either of his White House terms, according to a new poll.
A new survey from American Research Group, conducted in mid-May 2026, found 31 percent of Americans approve of the way Trump is handling his job, while 64 percent disapprove—his weakest showing across both terms in office.
Key Points
- A large majority of Americans believe the economy is worsening and expect further decline, according to the poll
- Net approval has deteriorated sharply from -6 in March 2025 to -34 in May 2026
- Economic ratings are weaker still, with just 29 percent approving and 67 percent disapproving
- Independent voters remain strongly negative, with just 25 percent approval
A president’s approval—especially on the economy—has historically been a leading indicator of electoral vulnerability ahead of midterm elections.
Weakening approval among independents and widespread economic pessimism could reshape the political battleground heading into the 2026 midterms.
Why It Matters
Trump entered his second term with relatively stable approval, but sustained economic dissatisfaction has steadily eroded support across much of the electorate.
What stands out now is not simply the level of disapproval, but its breadth—cutting across independents and increasingly pessimistic even among some of his own supporters.
What To Know
The latest American Research Group survey is based on 1,100 completed interviews conducted among a nationwide random sample of adults between May 16 and May 20, 2026. The poll carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level.
Overall, 31 percent of Americans say they approve of Trump’s performance as president, while 64 percent disapprove and 5 percent are undecided. Among registered voters, the picture is nearly identical: 31 percent approve and 65 percent disapprove.
That topline figure marks a continuation of a consistent downward trend. In May 2025, 41 percent approved of Trump’s performance with 55 percent disapproving.
By October 2025, the gap had widened significantly, and by May 2026 his net approval rating—approval minus disapproval—had fallen to -34, compared with -6 in March 2025.
Discontent is even more pronounced on the economy, traditionally a core political strength for Trump.
Just 29 percent of Americans approve of his handling of the economy, while 67 percent disapprove. Among registered voters, economic approval ticks up marginally to 30 percent, with 66 percent disapproving. In May 2025, economic approval stood at 37 percent, highlighting a clear erosion over the past year.
Read the full article here
